The Malaysian Insight

INSTITUTIONAL reforms must be at the top of the agenda for the new prime minister and his government expected to take over by the end of this week, analysts said.

They told The Malaysian Insight that the incoming prime minister must take note of the proposals sold by his predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin in an attempt to regain support, and see that they are implemented.

Muhyiddin’s proposals did not materialise when the opposition rejected his olive branch for cooperation, resulting in him and his cabinet stepping down on Monday.

The analysts also said that these reforms have been pending for a long time as they had also remained unfulfilled by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration.

Among the reforms included were equal allocations for lawmakers from both sides of the fence, setting a term limit for the PM’s post, introducing Undi18 without delay to allow young voters to participate, introducing an anti-hopping law and parliamentary and electoral reforms.

“The new government must implement good policies for the people and the country. This is inevitable because it is part of the people’s demands.

“The new government will have to learn from the weaknesses of PN (Perikatan Nasional) and PH and use it as a guide to realise institutional and government reforms,” Universiti Malaya political analyst Awang Azman Awang Pawi said.

He added that the next government should not make empty promises and fail to deliver.

“The reform proposals, largely initiated by PH, are a manifestation of the demand made by civil movements since before the 14th GE (general election).

“These reforms need to be implemented immediately and not when the government is going to fall,” he said in reference to Muhyiddin offering them reforms to save his government. 

He added that the institutional reforms were not limited to Muhyiddin’s seven offers.

“Any new government will have to start to realise that the reforms need to be implemented. It is important that they are implemented and improved on.

“It means that anything good from PH, PN, and BN (Barisan Nasional) should be made a policy and combined for the benefit of the people and the country,” said Awang Azman.

With his time running out, Muhyiddin made an open offer to political leaders outside PN in return for their support.

Among the reforms he had promised included the Anti-Party Jumping Bill (RUU), equal allocation to all MPs regardless of party and the implementation of Undi 18 without having to wait for automatic registration.

The Pagoh MP also offered a Constitutional Amendment Bill (RUU) to limit the prime minister’s time in office to two terms and parliamentary reform by ensuring that the number of government and opposition MPs on the Parliamentary Select Committee is more balanced.

Muhyiddin also offered the equivalent of a senior minister’s remuneration to the opposition leader in Parliament.

Universiti Utara Malaysia political analyst Ahmad Martadha Mohamed said the time has come for reforms in the administration of the country to be improved.

However, he agreed that the new government was not bound to implement the proposals suggested by Muhyiddin.

“They are not bound (to implement Muhyiddin’s proposals), there is no written agreement that binds the government, but it is up to the government to continue or not. However, it is good to implement the reforms.

“It is not a burden (on) the new government (to do so) but the ideas should be considered as these are good ideas.

“I see the proposals by Muhyiddin as very thoughtful and suitable to be implemented,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Martadha added that through the proposed reforms, the opposition could also contribute to the administration of the government if they are given due recognition.

“Right now, whoever is in the opposition is the same. Everyone is always criticising the government.

“That’s what we see in the government’s relationship with the opposition… (it’s) unfriendly and not harmonious.

“The proposed institutional reform is good but the timing of Muhyiddin’s announcement was not right.”

Save lives first

Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst Azmil Mohd Tayeb said through the introduction of the anti-party hopping act, the government’s downfall and party hopping activities by MPs can be stopped.

“I think the idea of reform is really worth considering. It has been (under proposal) for a long time and in discussion, especially during the PH administration.

“The anti-party jumping act, for example, can… prevent people jumping parties in the future as this is the cause of government instability.

“If there is a law that can prevent that from happening. I think this can lead to government stability in the future.”

Ilham Center executive director Hisomuddin Bakar, on the other hand, said the government can choose to avoid Muhyiddin’s proposals.

The priority of the new government, he said, was to ensure that the people and the country come out of the pandemic, which has affected the economy and people’s livelihoods.

“The agenda (Muhyiddin’s offers) was just to stay in power. Nothing more.

“The agenda was not centred on saving the people from Covid-19 and the economy.

“People are already about to die, and there are discussions on (the) prime minister (remaining) for two terms and Undi 18.

“The people don’t care about all of that. It doesn’t answer the questions of what the people really need now,” he said.

Following Muhyiddin’s resignation, his former deputy prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the Umno vice-president, has appeared as the favourite to form the new government.

All lawmakers were to provide their statutory declarations to Istana Negara by 4pm today to declare their support for a prime ministerial candidate.

The king is also having a meeting with the Malay rulers on Friday on who the new prime minister should be. – August 19, 2021.